The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 continues to unveil the mysteries of Rear Palace in its latest episodes.
In Season 2, Maomao utilizes her wit and medicinal knowledge to aid the highest ranking concubines of the Emperor and his premier eunuch Jinshi. With recent events escalating concerns of security, Maomao leads an investigation of her own. What she discovers leads her to situation that she never predicted.
If this series DOES NOT win Anime of the Year at the 2026 Crunchyroll Awards, there needs to be a serious evaluation of the award show process for anime. Anyways…
Check out the review of these episodes below!
SPOILER ALERT: This post will be full of plot stories, so read at your own risk.
RELATED: New Romance Anime to Watch in 2025
Unrest in the Rear Palace
*whewwww!!*
Episodes 45-46 are the really huge ones, so let’s summarize what we know going into it.
While researching the strong scents and new eunuchs, Maomao unearthed evidence that could show that Shenlu has bad intentions within the palace.
Before she successfully unveiled her discoveries, Suirei resurfaced and took both Maomao and Shisui, the bubbly servant girl, captive. While they are in transit to a new destination, Maomao concludes Shisui and Suirei are sisters when the former protects the latter from Maomao’s snake attack.
Time For War
Back at the rear palace, with Maomao’s safety still uncertain and Lahan’s update pointing to a rebellion, Jinshi weighs his options on how to proceed for the good of the emperor and his people.
With one final nudge from Lakan, Jinshi mobilized the Forbidden Army to strike down the ensuing rebellion.
This decision he claims will ultimately force him to reveal his true identity to all at the rear palace.
Fast forward a few episodes, both Shisui and Suirei have business to attend to during the day, leaving Maomao alone with Kyou-u. The unlikely duo managed to quietly escape the building where the sisters left Maomao, and ultimately find themselves at an odd storage house.
Here she discovers the true manufacturers of the gunpowder weapon. Before she can explore more, an alarming sound enters the door.
True Identities
Jinshi / Ka Zuigetsu
Jinshi wrestled with the idea of revealing his true identity to Maomao before her disappearance. With her now gone, he became more torn on what to do.
His reservations were definitely understandable. Revealing his true identity to anyone could lead to different treatment and assuming full responsibilities as the crown prince.
When Jinshi confirms the birth of the son of the Emperor and Concubine Gyokuyou, I believe this event assured him that he would not assume any imperial duties for now – unless something happened to his brother.
Shisui / Loulan
This right here took me OUT!
Picking up from the previous episodes, the duo ultimately gets caught by Shenmei, Ayla from the recent convoy to the Rear Palace, Suirei and Loulan(!!!). To avoid severe punishment for the surprised duo, Loulan introduced Maomao as the newest apothecary for her mother.
Seeing the sisters side-by-side with Shenmei led Maomao to quickly conclude Shisui’s true identity as Loulan.
I cannot imagine the internal struggles of Shisui. Living her life as the “obedient doll” of parents that were fueled by their own motivations.
Forced into the rear palace in her mother’s hateful revenge plot, Loulan found her true self cosplaying as a servant girl.
Suirei
Another major plot shocker. Suirei is the granddaughter of the former Emperor.
Even crazier, the fact that Jinshi would be her half-uncle (or half-brother). I’m working on a family tree as a speak because even I’m a bit confused.
Although this is an anime, it does touch on the reality that some stepkids are mistreated by their new stepparent. The only solace that I found in Suirei’s story was the love she shared with her sister Shisui.
Fangirl Feelings
As excited as I am about Jinshi and Maomao’s reunion, I personally cannot help but worry about what will become of both Suirei and Shisui.
Jinshi is determined to eliminate any potential retaliations from the Shi family. However, Shisui gave Maomao one last final request. What might that be???
My theory is that the “poison” she gave the children was actually the resurrection potion. Hoping that Maomao came to this conclusion she marched forward to confront her parents.
One thing that may work in Shishou’s favor is that Jinshi is leading the Forbidden Army, and he grant some sort of leniency for his daughters.
However, it seems like Shisui does not want to be anyone’s puppet any longer, so she may relegated to being a servant girl if not sold off.
That’s all for now!
Hope you enjoyed this review! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
- xoxo Jourdy 💕
If you enjoyed this content, consider supporting the content by sharing a post or dropping a follow.
